CES 2019: MQA News

MQA World First In-Car Listening Demo

TIDAL Masters Now Available on All Android Smartphones

Optimising the in-car listening environment

Following continued success in popularising premium audio playback in the home and on portable devices, MQA aims to introduce master quality sound to the next generation of connected and autonomous vehicles. In a world first at CES 2019, an MQA-powered ‘proof of concept’ listening experience will be demonstrated in the Karma Revero, an exclusive electric vehicle, at BlackBerry’s booth (#7523 LVCC North Hall).

Mike Jbara, MQA CEO, commented, “MQA in the car is the natural progression, with MQA the only solution for enjoying studio quality sound on the move – be that smartphone, portable device and, now, automobile. We’re privileged to be working with so many exceptional partners spanning automotive, hardware manufacturers, music services and record labels, with the shared aim of delivering the best sounding audio to the widest possible audience.”

Superior mobile listening experience

While LG and Essential smartphone owners have previously been able to enjoy TIDAL Masters, TIDAL has now released an updated app that supports Masters playback on all Android handsets. With the latest update, TIDAL HiFi members can experience studio quality sound wherever they choose to listen.

To further enhance your mobile listening experience, the latest version of the USB Audio Player PRO application now offers an MQA decoder for Android smartphones. The decoder is available via an in-app purchase.

Nugs.net, the home of live music for iconic touring artists including Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, and Dead & Company, offers streaming and downloads in MQA quality on both Android and iOS handsets. HiFi tier subscribers can access a deep catalogue of exclusive live concerts in their original quality for on-the-go listening.

Via a recent firmware upgrade, Astell&Kern has extended its support for MQA playback across its range of coveted portable players: the SP1000M, SE100 and SR15 models join the flagship SP1000 with MQA capability. All models also feature the integrated TIDAL app, so HiFi subscribers can stream master quality music on the move.

Expanding playback choices

Leading custom install brand, Integra, joins the growing ranks of MQA partners, adding MQA decoding capability to two of its network stereo receivers, the DTM-6 and DTM-7. Following its latest firmware update, the Mark Levinson No 519 Audio Player is now MQA certified, enabling playback and authentication of MQA audio files and streams.

Existing partners who are continuing to integrate and expand their MQA offerings include the following:

ESS has launched its ES9281 PRO, the first high-performance USB Audio DAC chip, as well as a series of USB Low-Power Audiophile DAC chips. These all feature integrated MQA rendering that allows partners to easily implement MQA audio into a wide variety of applications.

The SL-G700 Network / Super Audio CD Player* from Technics is a multi-digital player that plays back digital audio media from CD and SACD through to streaming services, and is the latest player to support the full MQA-CD listening experience.

NAD Electronics is unveiling a new flagship product for NAD Masters at CES – the M10 is a BluOS enabled amplifier that offers full MQA decoding.

Onkyo has added full MQA decoding to seven of its stereo models: the TX-8250, TX-8260, and TX-8270 Network Stereo Receivers; the NS-6130 and NS-6170 Network Audio Players; the R-N855 Network Stereo Receiver; and the CR-N775D Network CD receiver.

"I have spent many hours with Bob, listening to original recordings and being constantly amazed by the incredible sense of space and clarity brought by MQA."

Morten Lindberg, Producer and Grammy multi-nominee

"We have done many blind comparisons of my original high-resolution masters with and without the MQA process. MQA is the consistent winner."

Alan Silverman, Mastering Engineer

"Digital music has given users the ability to hold “a thousand songs in their pocket” for over a decade. But that convenience came at the sacrifice of quality. MQA gives the user the ability to keep the convenience of a large library in their pocket, without sacrificing the quality of the music."

Pioneer, on their new XDP-100R digital audio player

Awards

MQA are proud to have already received a range of awards and accolades.